Why doesn’t the iPhone use USB-C but Lightning?

USB-C is becoming more and more widespread, and many electronic products are beginning to adopt this emerging interface type, including Apple's computer devices, including the (12-inch) MacBook with only one USB-C port, and the new MacBook Pro with 2-4 USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) ports.

In terms of mobile phones and tablets, Android manufacturers have also deployed USB-C on their devices, while Apple still sticks to Lightning in the field of mobile devices. So the question is, why doesn't the iPhone use USB-C yet? Next, let's divide it into several points to discuss some issues about Apple and USB-C.

Why doesn't Apple use Lightning instead of USB-C?

Let's answer this question from a simple perspective. Apple started using the Lightning interface with the iPhone 5 in 2012, and there was no USB-C at that time. It was not until August 2014 that USB-C was officially finalized.

So why didn't Apple wait for USB-C?

Assuming that Apple could wait until USB-C arrived (without any delay), it would have taken a long time for Apple to make the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPad Air of that year compatible with USB-C. If it was not careful, these devices might not be released as scheduled, which would have been risky for Apple.

Let's go back to the time when the first generation iPhone was released. At that time, the first generation iPhone used a 30-pin Dock interface, which was also the interface that Apple created specifically for iPod in 2002. However, iPod was very popular and very common at the time. The 30-pin interface was good enough at the time, and it was more of a functional need at the time.

As time went on, the 30-pin Dock connector started to become obsolete, and Apple needed something better to replace the 30-pin connector. At that time, the world of USB was still a bit chaotic. There were the standard USB-A, miniUSB, and microUSB, and the latter two offered an advantage in terms of size because they were both smaller, but it wasn't enough. Apple wanted to bring something more advanced, something that would last them another 10 years, and their goal was not to replace a replacement that would need to be replaced frequently.

Therefore, Apple started to study Lightning a few years before the concept of USB-C became a little familiar to people. Apple wanted to make Lightning a symmetrical, easy-to-insert and fully digital interface from the beginning, so that it could adopt some new standards that might come in the future and extend its life, and also allow Apple to create new devices based on this interface.

So now, can the iPhone use USB-C?

Apple can build the iPhone however it wants, including changing the port to USB-C, but there are some issues to consider.

1. USB-C is larger than Lightning in terms of port size. Although not much larger, it is a big obstacle in the space of mobile phones where every inch of space is very important. The following picture will give you a more intuitive understanding of the space occupied by the USB-C port.

2. USB-C is a more open and compatible standard, but it also has limitations. As for Lightning, Apple can "do whatever it wants". This means that if any new technology is developed, Apple can quickly integrate these technologies into its own interface standards, so there is no need to consider a series of issues such as reaching a standard agreement.

3.USB-C requires users to adapt, which is the last thing users want to face. It took 10 years for the 30-pin Dock interface to usher in Lightning, and the current Lightning has only been used for 5 years. You know, there are probably hundreds of millions of devices using Lightning on the market now, and Lightning can be seen everywhere.

Is Lightning a way for Apple to control accessory makers?

If USB-C is finally chosen to replace Lightning, then the problem arises. The Lightning authorized chip is mainly used to restrict those unauthorized cables and accessories. If this specification is abandoned, Apple's accessory sales will be affected, or at least Apple's control over the accessory ecosystem will be weakened.

Apple likes to be in control and is good at making profits. On the other hand, when you look at the problems USB-C has been having and the counterfeit cables that are flooding the market, you might think that some level of control from Apple is actually beneficial.

Will the iPhone finally adopt USB-C?

Apple's Lightning team helped create USB-C, which is why there are so many similarities between the two and why Apple is building USB-C Macs. Perhaps at some point in the future, Apple will equip the iPhone with USB-C, despite the transitional pains.

The charging port of the AirPods charging case is very similar in shape to the USB-C port. We don't know if it's a coincidence, but from the outside, it may mean that Apple wants to use the USB-C port on the iPhone and iPad. When that day officially comes, you may not be surprised. The USB-C port has many advantages. Maybe one day when Apple thinks these advantages are enough to make them pay the price of transitional pain, that will be the day when USB-C really goes to Apple.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.